#19 Nicodemus and the Elder Stones
First Encounter: The players find a young wizard copying the writing of an ancient stone to some parchment. He explains the stone is called an elder stone and his master Nicodemus is studying them in hopes to unlock the secrets of the universe. He says he is trying to learn how to read them himself but his master says itās too dangerous and he isnāt ready. He is confident he is ready and traces his finger on the letters and tries to speak the words to the party in hopes to show off. After a few words he stumbles on pronouncing one of them and then suddenly bursts into flames. Not to far from his charred corpse is a portal drawn with chalk that leads to a wizardās study where a great white bearded wizard is deep in concentration. This is the great Nicodemus, and he refuses to look up from his work and will refer to anyone speaking to them as Jarvis and say he has no time for badgering and to bring him the next elder stoneās writings. If anyone gives him the writings of the elder stone he will be excited (still not look at the party) and say āGood work Jarvis! Now lets see what it says.ā He will then explain its a level 1 spell called <insert spell> and its very basic and you cast it by doing X Y and Z. Are you paying attention Jarvis? Ok good. Get some more chalk from the table and go bring me back another stoneās writings this one was no good.ā
Problem: Trying to decipher an elder stone and unlock the secrets of the universe.
Needs: āJarvisā to copy the writings of other elder stones and bring it back to him to help create a cypher. Elder stones are scattered across the land (dungeons, gardens, mountain tops, etc.) and have ancient writings engraved into their surfaces.
Rewards: Nicodemus will find a spell somewhere in the writings the player brings back and teach it to them all while never making eye contact with them. The spell can be from any school of magic
Communication: Drawing a doorway with chalk will lead to Nicodemusā study. He will always refer to whoever is talking to him as āJarvisā and never look at them.
Enemy: The REAL Jarvis, Nicodemusā old apprentice left when his master wouldnāt pay attention to him and decided to unlock the meaning of the elder stone first in spite. He will create obstacles to protect the elder stones from the players. He is a competent wizard and shouldnāt be underestimated.
Allies: Elderly people. In their youth Nicodemus helped them or their village from some threat and will offer aid to any of Nicodemusā apprentices.